Today is 1 July and here on Ibiza it definitely feels as though we're undertaking a new beginning. Not only is the island getting noticeably busier, but the event calendar is filling up. Even the first party announcements are coming through.
Visitors certainly won't be short on entertainment options this month.
Here's a round-up of some highlights taking place in the next 31 days.
Café Mambo opening
What a way to start the month. Café Mambo opens on Thursday 1 July from 18:00.
Later than usual, but you know what they say: better late than never!
One of Ibiza's premiere venue's opens its doors for the first time this year. The sunsets themselves never went away, of course. Only now we have the added bonus of world class service to go the view - and Mambo has the best seats in the house. Open daily thereafter.
Summer starts at O Beach
Keeping the momentum of opening events going, O Beach Ibiza is next on the list. Friday 2 July is the long-awaited date of its Opening Party.
The time has come to pitch up with your friends, grab a bed and enjoy some evocative tunes at poolside. We've missed this. As usual, the tunes will be loaded by O Beach's band of talented resident DJs.
Hippy market Punta Arabi returns
Trawling market stalls and picking out handmade crafts, jewellery and clothing is part of the authentic Ibiza experience. Since last week, Ibiza oldest and largest hippy market, Punta Arabi has been back in business.
Next open Wednesday 7 July and then weekly until late October, Punta Arabi offers a great day out for the whole family, with live music and entertainment also on offer widely.
Events at Ibiza rocks get underway
Now that Ibiza has been placed on the UK's green list, the tourists have started to arrive and businesses' plans can finally get underway. This include Ibiza Rocks, whose programme starts in earnest on 8 July.
Lighter-producer Nathan Dawe looks after Thursdays and plays at the curtain-raiser, while Cuckoo Land with Jess Bays starts on 9 July, Applebum commences on 10 July, Joel Corry on 11 July and Garage Nation on 12 July.
TOHRU ON TOUR
One for foodies next. Double-Michelin-starred chef Tohru Nakamura makes a two-date dalliance with 7 Pines Resort Ibiza on 9 and 10 July. If the thought of Tohru teaming with 7 Pines head chef Andrés Fernández has your tastebuds on high alert, then book today to secure your dining spots.
Rafa Macarrón art exhibit at Salinas
From Saturday 10 July, art lovers can enjoy a 15-strong collection of Rafa Macarrón's paintings. All completed this year and painted in the style critics refers to as "Macarrón's Universe", the works titled El Bañista will be displayed at La Nave Salinas Foundation. In doing so, he is the first Spanish artist invited to curate the space. Don't miss out on this magical realism.
Alternatively, or perhaps additionally, Aiyanna Ibiza in Cala Nova has international artists on rotation throughout summer.
This month sees Annalisa Rinaldi by Lichigraphy take the limelight on 14 and 17 July. Well worth checking out - and a great excuse to grab a cocktail and meal while you're there!
Laughter inbound at Pikes Ibiza
Laughter is the best medicine, right? Well, a trip to Pikes is also known to give your dopamine levels that extra boost. Combine the two and what do you have? Lust For Laughs returns to Pikes’ tennis court on Friday 16 July.
The second installment will be headlined by stand-up comic “The Best Boy In Ireland” Mike Rice. Tickets include first drink free, with discount for hotel guests.
Sueños de Libertad returns after two year hiatus
After being cancelled in 2019 and then forced to postpone last year, we feared we’d seen the last of Sueños de Libertad. Happily the Spanish music festival rocks back into life on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 July in the Port of Ibiza.
The big headline band is Love Of Lesbian, who will perform on Saturday. Other acts appearing over the two days include Ana Tijoux, Billy Flamigos and Muchachito. In a surprise twist, the event is being co-promoted by Pepe Rosello of Space - that should get tongues wagging!
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the current epidemiological situation in the Balearics, this event is now seated only with masks to be worn at all times, apart from when eating and drinking.
Cova Santa's gastroclub & mixology programme begins
Parties are not quite back with dancefloors at time of going to press, but as you will see on our party calendar there are early options. Cova Santa has daily events with table service only. Think fine-dining and extravagant cocktails, but with added entertainment and DJs.
The new concept for 2021 sees Cova Santa rebrand as a Gastroclub and Mixology centre under the attentive eye of restauranteur Xabi Alba.
The whole July calendar is pretty enticing, but our eyes are immediately drawn to its flagship event WooMooN on Friday 23 July - which happens to be a full moon, of course!
Elsewhere on the island, there are lots of other options to catch live music or DJ sets during July. The Melon Bomb boys return to their residency at Tanit Beach Club on Sunday 4 July. Sa Caleta Restaurant has live musicians every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Es Birra in Es Caná has entertainment most nights.
Or, for all you hippies at heart, check-out Nassau Beach Club's fortnightly Flower Night, taking place 11 and 25 July. Includes full show as well as music - the perfect accompaniment to dinner.
